After a 3-year struggle with autoimmune encephalitis and status dystonicus, Benjamin Curtiss Hayes, born December 23, 1999, left this earth to live in heaven with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, the 1st of November 2025.

Born December 23rd of 1999 at Central DuPage Hospital, Ben's motivated, persevering, positive spirit immediately came to the front as he fought for life after a complicated and traumatic birth that left him nonverbal, with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder.

Ben was dedicated, confirmed, baptized, and an active member of Faith Evangelical Covenant Church in Wheaton, Illinois, participating in the youth group, a mission trip to Sweden, Bible camp, Vacation Bible School, Christmas programs, and many other activities.

Ben attended Wheaton/Warrenville District 200 schools, including Jefferson Preschool, Clifford Johnson Elementary School (2011), Hubble Middle School (2014), Wheaton/Warrenville South High School (2018), and the district's Transition Program for special needs students (2021). He also worked hard in physical, occupational, speech, and other therapies at Easter Seals DuPage from his first year of life until age 22. His time here was full of therapists, teachers, helpers, staff and students who became great friends.

Benjamin leaves behind his parents, Aaron and Michelle (Sheli) Hayes; siblings Caleb Hunter Hayes and Elijah (Blake) John Hayes; "bonus" sisters, Heather Cisowski and Shelbie Ranft; grandparents, Jane Hayes and John and Sue Geiman; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, caretakers, and great friends survive him.

We will all miss Ben's humor and great laugh; his sense of adventure that took him parasailing, travelling, zip-lining, roller skating, and so much more; the hours spent playing board games, video games, and card games with (and usually losing to) him; his deep faith in Jesus and profound hope for heaven that he shared with so many; his recipes – both tasty and ridiculous; and his ever-ready encouragement, support, and friendship. We enjoyed cooking, reality TV, "running" 5K's, collecting autographs, Windy City Bulls games, praise and worship events, movies, bike rides, and countless books on tape with our Benjamin.

Ben would want you to know heaven is a real place and Jesus loves you. Remember, we do hard things together. And, as he often reminded us, "I can do it, if you help me."

The Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 4-8 pm. We will celebrate Benjamin's life with a service Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11 am. Both events will be at Faith Evangelical Covenant Church, 2001 Lakeview Drive, Wheaton, Illinois. The family will hold a private burial at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.  Arrangements entrusted to Hultgren Funeral Home 630-668-0027.

In memory of Benjamin, donations can be directed to Covenant Harbor Bible Camp at GiveCovenantHarbor.org or to Give Kids the World at GKTW.org .